1. It’s never too late to grow a green thumb! Buy some flower seeds and start your own garden. There are beautiful flowers that bloom in the fall: Chrysanthemums, Perennial Sunflowers, and Goldenrod to name a few.
2. Save the scraps! Make a summer scrapbook. Include things that you’ll look at later and smile: tickets to an amusement park, a beach tag, post cards and photos.
3. Become an expert. Start researching and collecting something that you find interesting. Now is the perfect time to go to flea markets and yards sales to find special treasures.
4. Be a bookworm. Make a promise to yourself to start, or even finish, summer books. Now is the perfect time to try reading a new genre.
5. Volunteer. Check to see if volunteers are needed at a local nursing home. A cheery attitude and a happy smile will surely brighten somebody’s day. Spending even an hour with someone who may not have family nearby can really make a difference.
6. Soak up the outdoors. Visit a beach. It can be an ocean, lake, river or pond. Take your shoes off, relax and enjoy the view and the nature around you. Take a swim or build a sandcastle.
7. Clean up! While the weather cooperates, clean out your garage, basement or attic, and anywhere else you’ve been piling things. Organize everything and have a garage sale.
8. Catch fireflies. If there’s one thing that reminds us of our childhood, it’s chasing fireflies. Grab a jar and punch holes in the lid. Take the kids the kids outside just as it get dark and have a ball. Just remember to let them go!
9. Challenge yourself. Now is the perfect time to try a new project around the house. Try a new recipe, refinish a piece of furniture, install a new thermostat (See Amazon for a wide selection of qaulity thermostats for your home). Do something that seems intimidating, but will give you a great feeling of accomplishment.
10. Enjoy this opportunity. We forget how quickly fall approaches…so does rushing to get kids to school, packing lunches and homework. So make sure you not only spend quality time with the family, make sure you take time for yourself.

The first observance of Father’s day is believed to have been established on June 19, 1910. After listening to a church sermon about the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Sona Smart Dodd of Spokane Washington felt fatherhood needed recognition too.

Father’s day was slow to catch on compared to the very popular Mother’s day until it became recognized as a national holiday in 1972 when Richard Nixon signed it into law.

I have no idea how the tradition of giving ugly ties started!

HOW TO ALLEVIATE SUMMER ALLERGIES

Summer weather seems to have arrived out of nowhere, and with this weather brings seasonal allergies.

Approximately 36 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. This year will be especially tough because of unseasonably high amounts of rain and humidity.

Although we can’t control Mother Nature, there’s plenty you can do to make your home more comfortable by reducing allergens and irritants.

Recognizing the importance of indoor air quality is imperative. Allergies, asthma, eczema, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, sinusitis, and bronchial problems are all medical conditions that have been linked to poor indoor air quality. Indoor air can be 5 times more polluted than the air outside. The EPA ranks indoor air as one of the top 5 environmental risks to public health.

Here are some simple steps to make the air your family breathes cleaner and healthier:

1. Controlling the temperature in your home is a great way to control allergens. If you have a programmable thermostat (see wide selection of quality thermotats at Amazon.com), set the temperature to 70 during the day and 65 during the night. Make sure to keep an eye on the humidity level also, no lower than 40 or 50.
2. Change your filters and have your air duct cleaned. Dust, pests and mold can collect in filters and ducts if they are not cleaned regularly.
3. Vacuum rugs often and have your rugs cleaned. Be sure to check cleaning ingredients, as some cleaners have strong odors that can trigger allergies.
4. I know pets are like members of the family, but if you’re suffering with allergies, try to keep the family cat or dog off furniture that can trap pet hair and dander. For example, any place where you rest your head, like a fabric sofa or on the bed, should be kept free of pet hair.
5. Wash you bed sheets often. You can also purchase pillow and mattress covers that provide a special barrier against dust mites.
6. Keep your bathroom clean. Mold grows in damp environments and is a major cause of severe allergies.
7. Keep your refrigerator clean. Food that sits beyond its expiration date begins to grow mold. You don’t want that sitting near food you are going to eat.
8. Donate or pack up old books. I hang on to those books from college thinking I may need to refer back to them one day. But old books sitting around on shelves are huge collectors of dust, which increase allergens.
9. Be sure to wash your hands often, as this is the fastest way to spread allergens.
10. Install a Lux Clean Cycle thermostat  (see wide selection of quality thermotats at Amazon.com). The CAG1500 is a fully programmable thermostat that ensures the heating and air conditioning fan runs at set intervals to circulate the air in your home. It also indicates when filters need to be cleaned. A programmable thermostat that improves the quality of your air and saves you money. Now that’s a much better Father’s Day present than an ugly tie!

Here are some tips that will hopefully make your Spring Cleaning a little easier.

1. Make A List: It’s easy to get overwhelmed from the start. So make a list of things that you want to accomplish. It doesn’t have to all get done in one day. Chart out your plan of attack. Is it easier for you to clean from the attic down, or start in the basement? Maybe you want to do one complete room at a time from top to bottom. Find a way that works best for you.
2. Check Cleaning Supplies: Check to make sure you have everything you need before you get started. Now is the perfect opportunity to replace those old harsh cleaners with new organic versions. You can even make your own cleaning agents with average household items and save a ton of cash. White vinegar is great for hard water stains, soap scum and your toilet bowl. It can even replace fabric softener in the laundry. Rubbing alcohol is great for cleaning glass. Baking soda is the perfect replacement for harsh scouring powders. A combination of olive oil and lemon juice makes a great furniture polish.
3. Makes Piles: Now that you’re putting away winter clothes, it is the perfect time to separate your things into categories: Store & Donate. If another winter season has gone by and you haven’t worn those fur snow boots or that purple fur jacket that you just had to have, get rid of it! Get the clutter out of your life and give someone else the opportunity to enjoy something special. There are tons of great places that will take donations.
4. Seal It Up: Put all of your winter things in sealed plastic containers to prevent dust mites, mold or moths from making an unwelcome visit. This doesn’t just include clothes, but do the same for bedding and even seasonal decorations. And cedar chips or even dryer sheets to keeps thing smelling fresh.
5. Don’t Forget The Fridge: I know people don’t usually think of their refrigerator when they think of Spring Cleaning. But this is a perfect opportunity to clean out the fridge and cupboards. Wash all the shelving, racks and bins. Salmonella and other contaminants thrive in these environments. Check all of the expiration dates and get rid of everything that’s past its date. Put fresh boxes of baking soda in the fridge and freezer to absorb odors.
6. See The Light: Dust or replace light bulbs. You’d be amazed how dust dims light. Just be sure to unplug any fixtures first! If your cleaning ceiling lights, be sure to clean the ceiling fan while you’re up there. It’s easy to forget because we can’t see that high, but dirt and dust really accumulate on the tops of fan blades.
7. Safety First: If you already have the ladder out and are in the home improvement mode, be in the safety mode too. Now is the perfect time to check all of you smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are all working properly. Replace batteries if necessary.
8. Ventilate: It’s easy to get so lost in your cleaning that you forget to your using harsh chemicals. Open a window or turn on a fan. Just be sure there is proper ventilation so that you’re not inhaling fumes. Replace your vacuum bag and filter before you get started so that you are cleaning efficiently and not blowing dust back into the air or not picking it up at all.
9. Don’t Forget To Clean Your Air: We often forget that one of the most import things that need to be clean in our house is the air that we breathe. Replace your air filters so that you air conditioner runs efficiently during the summer season. Update your thermostat with a programmable model that will not only run more efficiently, but save you money. A thermostat that filters the air in your home is ideal, reduce allergens in air and reduce your utility bills. (See Qaulity Lux Products Thermostats at  Amazon.com)
10. 10.Most Of All…Make It Fun! Load up on iTunes. Dance and sing your way around the house! It doesn’t have to feel like a chore!

1. See the beauty of winter:
   Look at how gorgeous landscapes are after a winter snow. Children’s laughter while playing in the snow, making snowmen and angels, hot cocoa after playing are all wonderful memories that we should just enjoy. They go by all too quickly.
2. Take advantage of the season:
   This is the perfect opportunity to start that hobby you’ve been talking about. Start an activity that you can enjoy outdoors: skiing, skating or ice fishing. Or work on your creative side. Start scrap booking or organize old photos. Take up knitting or needlepoint. Try something artistic like drawing, painting, pottery or photography.
3. Redo your wardrobe:
   Assess what’s in you closet. Create new looks. Reorganize and make piles of things that you’re going to keep or donate to Goodwill. Giving to those less fortunate always makes you more appreciative of what you have.
4. Get cozy:
   Make a fire and eat marshmallows or make s’mores with the kids. Grab a mug of hot chocolate and curl up with a good book. Make popcorn and watch classic movies.
5. Get cooking:
   This is the perfect weather for soups and stews. Try a new recipe or an old family classic. Have fun with the kids and make cookies or cupcakes.
6. Feel the love:
   This is the perfect time to spend with people you love. Reconnect with old friends or simply stop over to a neighbor. Visit family or make a phone call. Laughter and good company is the perfect remedy for bad weather or a blue mood.
7. Volunteer:
   Giving your time is a wonderful thing to do any time of year. Volunteer a your local church, community center, school or soup kitchen. Doing something selfless or helping those less fortunate always makes you realize how blessed you truly are.
8. Enjoy the great outdoors:
   Take a brisk walk(Unless the weather would cause a risk). The fresh air and exercise is not only great for you physically, but also mentally. Sunlight combats the winter blues. Just dress appropriately and don’t take risks if there is ice or it’s too cold(frostbite and hypothermia are serious medical conditions)
9. Be a historian:
   Visit a museum, library, or local visitor center. Find out the history of your town. I bet there’s tons of things that have happened in your town that may not even know about. You could even start a family tree.
10. Small projects save big bucks:
    Now is the perfect opportunity to finish those small projects around the house. Check for drafts or fix cracked windows. Preventing air from escaping your home could save tons on utility bills. Change filters in your HVAC unit. A unit that runs more efficiently will save you money each month. Install a programmable thermostat (See AMAZON.COM). A programmable thermostat will adjust the temperature in your home so that you will always be comfortable. It will heat your home while your family is there, but not continue to run and waste energy and dollars, when you’re not at home. You can program it to fit your schedule so that it works best for you. This can add up to big bucks by the end of the year.

Gift The Gift Of Time:
Now is the perfect opportunity to offer a service. When we think of volunteering, we normally think of church, community center or philanthropy of our choice. But volunteer work can also be appreciated and very helpful on a smaller scale. Give vouchers for free babysitting to an overwhelmed mom, trips to the store for elderly or for someone who may not be able to get out of the house often.

This is the perfect time of year if you are the DIY guru in your home. Offer to fix all the little odds and ends that have been piling up over the year: a leaking faucet, squeaky door, touching up chipped paint. This list can go on and on!

You can also offer a free coupon for larger gifts such a finishing a major project: organizing the attic or closets, cleaning out the basement or garage.

Getting major things like this accomplished would mean much more than another tie, pair of socks or fruitcake!

Give Gifts That Give back:
If you do want to fill those stocking or put something under the tree, give gifts that give back.

-A programmable thermostat is a great gift. Once installed, it will start saving money on utility bills immediately. (see Amazon.com)

-Rechargeable batteries and charger are perfect since everything requires batteries these days. Never again worry that you won’t have extra batteries on hand.

-CFL light bulbs save a lot of money. A pack of bulbs makes a great gift and get someone on the “green” track.

-Reusable shopping bags are perfect. Since many stores offer discounts for bringing your own bags. It’s the perfect reason to go shopping!

-A water filter (attaches easily to your faucet) is great for not only having pure clean water, but saves tons on all those bottles of water. It saves money and the environment.

Hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday and a happy and healthy New Year!